Well-sinking apparatus.



No. 769,728. IPATBNTED SEPT. 13, 1904, M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11, 1901.

N0 MODEL 7 SHEBTSSHEET 1.

PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904 M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 11, 1901.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

.f? yde 1277 Q QAM mm PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904.

M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1901.

7 SHEETSSHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

No. 769,728. PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904. M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV.11, 1901.

N0 MODEL. 7 SHEETSSHEBT 4.

MMJcZ No. 769,728. PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904. M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 11 1901 7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

N0 MODEL.

N0 MODEL.

M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1901.

PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904,

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

No. 769,728. PATENTED SEPT. 13, 1904. M. T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 011.11, 1901.

N0 MODEL,

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P 11 NHL LillllHl UNITED STATES Patented September 13, 1904.

PATENT OEErcE.

WELL-SINKING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 769,728, dated September 13, 1904.

Application filed November 11,1901. Serial No. 81,874. No model.)

To (LZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Aurora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vell-Sinking Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to well-sinking apparatus of the type described in my pending application, Serial No. 80,861, filed November 2, 1901, and has for its objects to provide certain improvements in the devices by means of which the well tube or pipe may be gripped for rotating it in sinking the well without interfering with its vertical movement and to provide certain improvements in the rotary support for the gripping devices. The improvements in the gripping devices relate not only to the gripping-blocks which engage the pipe for the purpose of rotating it, but also to the mechanism by which said blocks are carried.

In my improved construction] employ gripping-blocks to take the place of the sharpfaced rollers heretofore employed, said gripping-blocks being arranged in sets, each set being composed of a series of blocks arranged to travel in a circular, elliptical, or other endless path. The blocks are arranged in close proximity to each other, so that one or more of them will always be in position to engage the well-tube. Ordinarily two of such sets of blocks are carried in each jaw of the gripping mechanism, and they are so mounted that the gripping-faces of adjacent sets lie at an angle to each other. Ordinarily two jaws at opposite sides of the Well-tube are provided, each carrying two sets of grippingblocks, so that the well-tube, which lies between the opposite jaws, is gripped tightly between the four sets of gripping-blocks. Mechanism is provided by which the jaws maybe raised or lowered or moved toward or from the pipe simultaneously and equally. Furthermore, the different blocks composing each set are not connected to each other, but are arranged in somewhat the same way as the balls of a ball-bearing. Antifriction devices are provided at the ends of the blocks to reduce friction and to take the end thrust of the blocks. Antifriction-rollers are also provided back of the blocks to further reduce friction of the blocks as they travel in the jaws.

So far as the rotary support for the gripping devices is concerned my invention consists in providing a series of cylindrical disks and so mounting the turn-table which carries the gripping devices upon such disks as to avoid the outward thrust on the antifrictionrollers incident to the use of the conical rollers heretofore employed.

What I regard as my invention will be set forth in the claims.

Referringto the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view, certain parts being in section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, some parts being illustrated in section. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3 3 of Fig. -2. Figs. 1 and 5 are elevations of the antifriction-disks, showing opposite sides of a disk. Fig. 6 is a cross-see tion on line 6 6 of Fig. 1, the gears being in elevation. Fig. 7 is a cross-section on line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a cross-section on line 8 8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a partial elevation of the turn-table and grippingmechanism, certain parts being in section. Fig. 10 is a partial section on line 10 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a partial vertical section illustrating a part of one of the racks and pinions for raising and lowering the jaws. Fig. 12 is a vertical section through the train of gears by which the adjusting mechanism at the opposite sides of the turn-table is connected together. Fig. 13 is a side elevation, some parts being in section, illustrating in part a series of grippingblocks and the supporting devices therefor. Fig. 14 is a partial cross-section illustrating the construction of one of the gripping-blocks and the supporting devices therefor. Fig. 15 is a side elevation of another series of gripping-blocks, showing blocks somewhat different in construction and mounting from those shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 16 is a partial crossseetion on line 16 16 of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a View of one of the sets of gripping-blocks, partly in front elevation and partly in section. Fig. 18 is a detail, being a partial cross-section of the frame in which the grip ping-blocks are mounted, showing the blocks in longitudinal section and the antifriction-rollers thereof in elevation; and Fig. 19 is a crosssection on line 19 19 of Fig. 18.

In the drawings, 20 indicates the turn-table which carries the gripping mechanism, including the devices for adjusting the grippingjaws. The construction of the turn-table and the support on which it is mounted is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, from which it will be seen that the turn-table is provided on its under side with an annular gear 21, adapted to mesh with a beveled pinion 22, mounted on a shaft 23, supported in suitable bearings, so that by rotating said shaft the turn-table may be rotated, carrying with it the gripping mechanism. Adjacent to and inside the annular gear 21 the turn-table is provided with an annular bearing-surface 24, horizontally arranged, as best shown at the left in Fig. 2. Below and a short distance from the bearingsurface 24 is an annular bearing-plate 25, horizontally arranged and provided with a marginal flange 26, as shown to the left in Fig. 2. The upper surface of the plate 25 and the bearing-surface 26 he opposite and parallel with each other, forming guideways between which are mounted two or more series of bearing disks or rollers 27 28, as shown in Fig.2. As best shown in Fig. 2, said disks are comparatively thin, and their peripheries are not beveled or inclined, as has been the case hitherto. The inner surface of each disk is flat and is perpendicular to its periphery, while the outer-surface of each disk is convex, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

29 indicates a traveling guide or retainingring which extends around the inner series of disks 27, and 30 indicates a similar ring extending around the outer series of disks 28. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the convex surfaces of the disks 27 28 bear against the inner surfaces of the rings 29 30, and by making such surfaces convex, as shown, the friction between the disks and the retaining-rings is reduced to the minimum.

As shown in Fig. 3, I provide two series of autifriction-disks, upon which the turn-table 20 is supported and rotates. Owing to the fact that the peripheries of the disks are not beveled, but are parallel with the axes of the disks, the weight of the turn-table is applied perpendicularly to the axes of the disks. Consequently there is no tendency to force the disks outward,-as is the case where beveled disks are employed. The number of series of disks employed may be greater or less, depending on the special requirements to be met. Where the weight is considerable, two, three, or more sets may be employed; but ordinarily two series of disks spaced apart, as

' illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, thereby providing an extended bearing-surface for the turn-table, are sufiicient. In this connection I wish 5 it-to be understood that while the improved antifriction-bearing devices thus far described are specially suited for use in well-sinking apparatus they may be employed for any other purpose to which they are adapted, and my invention is not restricted to their use in wellsinking apparatus alone.

31 32 indicate the jaws which carry the gripping-blocks. As shown in Fig. 1, there are two of such jaws placed at opposite sides of the central opening 33 of the turn-table, through which the well-tube 34 moves. The inner face of each jaw is V-shaped or provided with two faces 35 36 at an angle to each other, as best shown in Fig. 1, and in each of said faces is mounted a gripping device 37, as shown in Fig. 1. The construction of said gripping devices will be hereinafter set forth. Each of the jaws 31 32 is provided at the back with a T-shaped rib 38, adapted to fit into a correspondingly-shaped groove in carriages 39 39 The groove, which receives the rib 38, is vertically disposed and inclined inward from top to bottom--that is to say, toward the center of the turn-table-so that when the jaw is raised it will move outward from the center of the turn-table simultaneously with its vertical movement, and when lowered it will move inward toward the center of the turn-table. This construction is best shown in Fig. 10. It will be understood that the rib 38 is correspondingly inclined, so that it will move properly in the groove in which it is carried. By making the ribs 38 T-shaped and fitting them in correspondingly shaped grooves they are free to move vertically, but are securely held in position on their respective carriages.

As shown in Fig. 1, there are two carriages 39 39", which carry the jaws 31 32, respectively, said carriages being placed at opposite sides of the center of the turn-table. For the purpose of moving the jaws vertically the jaws 31 32 are provided, respectively, with rack-plates 4O 41, which may be made wide enough to compensate for the outward movement of the jaws, as shown in Fig. 1, or may be placed in an inclined position at an angle corresponding to that of the ribs 38. The racks 40 are engaged by pinions 42, one at each side of the jaw 31, as best shown in Fig. 1. The pinions 42 are mounted upon and keyed to parallel shafts 43 44, placed at opposite ends of the carriage 39 and extending across the machine. By rotating the shafts 43 44 in opposite directions the pinions 42 mounted thereon may thereby be actuated to raise or lower the jaw 31in its carriage and simultaneously move it outward or inward. The shafts 43 44 are connected so as always to rotate in opposite directions by a train of gears 45 46 47 48, mounted in suitable bearings on a projecting shelf 49, carried by the turn-table, as shown in Fig. 1. To permit longitudinal movement of the shafts 43 44, as will behereinafter described, the gears 45 and 48 are mounted on feathers 50 in their respective shafts, as shown.

51 indicates the shaft on which the gear 46 is mounted, said shaft having a squared projecting end by which said gear, with the other gears in the train with it, and the shafts 43 44 may be rotated to adjust the position of the jaws 31 32.

The jaw 32 is adjusted similarly to the jaw 31 by pinions 52, which are similar to the pinions 42 and engage the racks 41. The pinions 52 are mounted on shafts 53, which are, pivotally supported by the carriage 39 and fit telescopically in sleeves 54, mounted upon and keyed to the inner ends of the shafts 43 44, thus permitting the shafts 43 44, with the pinions 42, carried by them, to be, moved toward or from the pinions 52 without interfering with the operative connection of the pinions 52 with the shafts 43 44.

55 56 indicate parallel shafts which are arranged at opposite sides of the center of the turn-table and, as shown in Fig. 1, are parallel with the shafts 43 44. Each of the shafts 55 56 is mounted in bearings 57 58, provided on the turn-table, said bearings 57 58 being separated a short distance and having between them a collar 59, which is hexagonal or of other suitable shape so that it may readily be engaged by a wrench. The collars 59 are fixedly secured to their respective shafts 55 56, so that by rotating said collars said shafts may be simultaneously rotated. The ends of each shaft 55 56 project a considerable distance beyond the bearings thereof and are oppositely screw-threaded, as best shown in Fig. 1. By this construction when the shafts 55 56 are rotated in one direction or the other the carriages 39 39 may be caused to move toward or from each other, carrying with them their respective gripping-jaws. As the pinions 43 44 are carried by the carriage 39, in which is mounted the jaw 31, said shafts travel with said carriage, moving endwise as the carriage travels toward or from the center of the turn-table.

The shafts 55 56 are connected so as to 1'0- tate in unison by a connecting-shaft 62, carried in suitable. hearings on the carriage 39 and provided at its ends with beveled gears 63 64, meshing, respectively, with beveled gears 65 66, carried by the shafts 55 56, respectively. In order to compensate for the travel of the carriage 39, the bevel-gears 65 66 are caused to travel with said carriage, this being accomplished by mounting said gears on sleeves 67 68, respectively. which are screw-threaded to fit the screw-threads of the shafts 55 56. Said gears 65 66 are keyed 'to their respective shafts by feathers 69, moving in grooves 70 in said shafts. By this means the bevel-gears 65 66 not only rotate with the shafts 55 56, but also move longitudinally thereof at the same rate of speed as the carriage 39 and remain constantly in mesh with the gears 63 64.

As shown in Fig. 1, a portion of the shaft 62 is made hexagonal or of other suitable shape to receive a wrench, so that said shaft may be turned to adjust the position of the carriages 39 and 39".

The operation of the apparatus as thus far described is as follows: To adjust the jaws 31 32 vertically and move them simultaneously toward or from the well-tube, a wrench is applied to the shaft 51 and the pinions 46, with the connecting pinions, rotated, thereby rotating the shafts 43 44 in opposite directions and moving the jaws 31 32 either up or down, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft 51. Owing to the inclination of the ribs 38, as above described, when the jaws 31 move upward they also move away from the well-tube, and when they move downward they move toward the well-tube, so that the force with which the well-tube is gripped by the gripping devices may be accurately controlled. If it be desired to separate the jaws 31 32 to any considerable extent, this may be accomplished by applying a tool to either or all of shafts 55, 56, or 62. By rotating any one of said shafts the other two will berotated to carry the carriages 39 39 toward or from each other. When the carriages are moved apart, the pinions 42 and 52 remain operatively connected without interfering with their moving apart by reason of the telescopic connection of the shafts 53 with the sleeves 54, so that however far apart the carriages 39 39 may be moved the jaws 31 32 may still be vertically adjusted from shaft 51.

The gripping-blocks, with the frames in which they are mounted, are best shown in Figs. 13 and 19. As best shown in Fig. 1, each of the angular faces 35 36 of the jaws 31 32 is provided with a set of gripping-blocks, and each set of gripping-blocks is mounted in a frame 71.: As best shown in Figs. 14 and 15, said frames are composed of side plates 72, having endless grooves 73 to receive the gripping-blocks, as will be hereinafter described, and an intermediate bearing-block 74, the perimeter of which conforms in outline to the outlines of the groove 73, as best shown in Figs. 13 and 14. In addition to serving as a bearing for the inner faces of the grippingblocks or the antifriction-rollers that support them, as hereinafter described, the bearingblock 74 also serves to hold the side plates 72 at the proper distance apart. The side plates are secured together and to the bearing-block 74 by bolts or screws 75, as best shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

In the drawings I have shown several forms of gripping-blocks and antifrietion devices therefor. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 13 the gripping-blocks 76 are arranged in endless series around the bearing-block 74 and are provided at their ends with antifriction-rollers 77, mounted on spindles 78, projecting from the ends of the gripping-blocks,

as best shown in Fig..14:, saidrollers fitting in the grooves73, and thereby guiding the gripping-blocks as they move around the centra-l'bearing-block 24, asv show-n in Fig. 13. The outer faces and sides of the blocks 76 are flat, and the outer faces of said blocks project slightly beyond the side plates 7 2, so that they are adapted to engage the welltube when forced against it. The outer faces of said blocks are vertically serrated, as shown in Fig. 14, so as to provide comparatively sharp ridges adapted to cut into the well-tube, so that said tube may be turned with the gripping devices'and the turn-table.

In Figs. 15, 16, and 17 I have shown. a modified form of gripping-block 80, in which in lieu of providing antifriction-rollers 77 at the ends of the blocksI provide antifrictionrollers 81 between the gripping-blocks and the bearing-blocks 7 1. Said rollers also extend into the grooves 73, so that the grippingblocks travel upon the antifriction-rollers 81.

A further modification is shown in Figs. 18 and 19. In the construction shown in Figs. 18 and 19 the gripping-block 82 is similar in construction to the gripping-block 80; but in addition tothe antifriction-rollers 81 antifriction-rollers 83 are provided at the ends of the gripping-blocks to take the end thrust incident to rotation of the turn-table while the well tube or pipe is gripped.

By the construction illustrated and described it will be evident that the well-tube may descend while being rotated, since the gripping-blocks may freely move downward while in engagement with. the well-tube without releasing it, the blocks traveling around in their grooves after the manner of an endless chain. In order to permit the grippingblocks to accommodate themselves to inequalities in the pipe or to pass couplings in the pipe, the frames 71,which carry the grippingblocks, are pivotally supported in the jaws. To this end each of said frames is provided with a pivot 84:, which passes through it, its ends being secured in suitable bearings in the jaw, as best shown in Fig. 16.

I have described my'improvements specifically as illustrated, but wish it to be understood that my invention is not restricted to the specific details of the construction shown and described, except in so far as such details are particularly claimed.

That whichI claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a rotary support, a plurality of jaws mounted upon said support, one of said jaws having angularly-disposed faces, gripping mechanisms mounted in said faces, whereby said gripping mechanisms are adapted to engage a round article at separate points for the purpose of rotating the same, separate supporting devices for said gripping mechanisms, gripping means carried by the other jaw, and means for forcing said gripping mechanisms into contact with the article to be gripped, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a rotary support, a plurality of jaws mounted upon said support, one of said jaws havingangularly-disposed faces, gripping mechanisms mounted in said faces, whereby said gripping mechanisms are adapted to engage a round article at separate points for the purpose of rotating the same, separate supporting devices for said gripping mechanisms, gripping means carried by the other jaw, means for forcing said gripping mechanisms into contact with the article to be gripped, and means for moving said jaws simultaneously toward or from the article to be gripped, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a rotary support, a plurality of jaws mounted upon said support, one of said jaws having"angularly-disposed faces, gripping mechanisms mounted in said faces, whereby said gripping mechanisms are adapted to engage a round article at separate points for the purpose of rotating the same, separate supporting devices for said gripping mechanisms, gripping means carried by the other jaw, means for forcing said gripping mechanisms into contact with the article to be gripped, and means for vertically adjusting said jaws, substantially as described.

4. The combination of a rotary support, a plurality of jaws mounted upon said support, one of said jaws having angularly-disposed faces, gripping mechanisms mounted in said faces, whereby said gripping mechanisms are adapted to engage a round article at separate points for the purpose of rotating the same, separate supporting devices for said gripping mechanisms, gripping means carried by the other jaw, means for forcing said gripping mechanisms into contact with the article to be gripped, means for vertically adjusting said jaws, and means for simultaneously moving said jaws toward or from the article to be gripped, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of a well-tube or other round article to be gripped, a carriage mounted on said turn-table and movable toward and from said opening, gripping mechanism carried by said carriage, adapted to engage the article to be gripped, said gripping mechanism being adapted to travel. longitudinally of the well-tube independently of the carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally toward and from said opening, and means cooperating with said gripping mechanism for gripping the article, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of a well-tube or other round article to be gripped, a carriage mounted on said turn-table and movable toward and from said opening, gripping mechanism carried by said carriage, adapted to engage the article to be gripped, said gripping mechanism being adapted to travel longitudinally of the welltube independently of the carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally toward and from said opening, means cooperating with said gripping mechanism for gripping the article, and means for vertically adjusting the gripping mechanism, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of a well-tube or other round article to be gripped, a car riage mounted on said turn-table and movable toward and from said opening, gripping mechanism carried by said carriage, adapted to engage the article to be gripped, said gripping mechanism being adapted to travel longitudinally of the well-tube independently of the carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally toward and from said opening, means cooperating with said gripping mechanism for gripping the article, means for vertically adjusting the gripping mechanism, and means for simultaneously moving said mechanism toward or from the article to be gripped, substantially as described.

8. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of a well-tube or other round article to be gripped, a carriage mounted on said turn-table and movable toward and from said opening, gripping mechanism pivotally carried by said carriage, adapted to engage the article to be gripped, said gripping mechanism being adapted to travel longitudinally of the well-tube independently of the carriage, means for moving said carriage horizontally toward and from said opening, and means cooperating with said gripping mechanism for gripping the article, substantially as described.

9. The combination of a rotary supporthaving a passage for the article to be gripped, gripping mechanism mounted on said support and adapted to engage the article to be gripped, said gripping mechanism being adapted to travel longitudinally of the well-tube independently of its support, and means pivotally supporting said traveling gripping devices on said rotarysupport,substantially as described.

10. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, a carriage mounted on said rotary support and movable toward and from said opening, a jaw carried by said carriage and movable vertically thereon, and gripping mechanism carried by said jaw, and adapted to travel independently of the jaw, substantially as described.

11. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the article to be gripped, a carriage carried by said rotary support and movable toward and from said opening, a jaw mounted in said carriage and vertically movable in an inclined path thereupon, and gripping mechanism carried by said jaw,and adapted to travel independently of the jaw, substantially as described.

12. The combination of a rotary support, a traveling carriage carried thereby and movable thereon, gripping mechanism carried by said carriage and adapted to travel independently thereof, and means carrying said gripping mechanism and adjustable vertically in an inclined path on said carriage, substantially as described.

13. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, carriages mounted on said rotary support at opposite sides of said opening, gripping mechanism carried by said carriages, means for simultaneously moving said carriages toward or from said opening, and gripping devices carried by said carriages, said gripping devices being adapted to travel longitudinally of the well-tube, independently of their carriages, substantially as described.

141. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, carriages mounted on said rotary support at opposite sides of said opening, gripping mechanism carried by said carriages, means for simultaneously moving said carriages toward or from said opening, vertically-movable jaws carried by said carriages, and means for simultaneously adjusting said gripping-jaws vertically, substantially as described.

15. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the artiele to be gripped, separate carriages at opposite sides of said opening, jaws mounted in said carriages, vcrtically-inclined guides for said jaws, and means for simultaneously adjusting said jaws vertically, substantially as described.

16. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, separate carriages at opposite sides of said opening, jaws mounted in said carriages, vertically-inclined guides for said jaws, adjusting means connecting said jaws whereby they may be adjusted vertically simultaneously, and means connecting said carriages for adjusting them simultaneously toward or from said opening, substantially as described.

17. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, carriages mounted at opposite sides of said opening, screw-shafts at opposite sides of said opening connecting said carriages, means gearing said shafts together whereby the rotation of one shaft will effect the rotation of the other, thereby simultaneously adjusting the position of saidcarriages toward or from said opening, gripping-jaws carried by said carriages, means for simultaneously adjusting said gripping-jaws vertically, and gripping devices carried by said jaws, substantially as described.

18. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, gripping-jaws carried by said rotary support, said gripping-jaws being vertically adjustable and having racks 4O 41, gears meshing with said racks, and means connecting said gears so that they rotate in opposite directions, substantially as described.

19. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, gripping-jaws carried by said rotary support, said gripping-jaws being vertically adjustable and having racks 4O 41,

' gears meshing With-said racks, means connecting said gears so that they rotate in opposite directions, and means for adjusting said jaws toward and from each other, substantially as described.

20. The combination of a rotary support having an opening for the passage of the article to be gripped, carriages mounted upon said support at opposite sides of said opening and movable toward and from each other, shafts 43 44 carried by one of said carriages, corresponding shafts carried by the other carriage and telescopically connected with said first-mentioned shafts, jaws mounted in said carriages, racks connected to said jaws, pinions mounted on said shafts adapted to engage said racks for vertically adjusting said jaws, and means connecting said shafts 43 44 so that they will rotate in unison and in opposite directions, substantially as described.

21. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, and grippingblocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same, substantially as described.

22. The combination of aframe having endless grooves forming guides, gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same, and antifriction-bearings for said blocks, substantially as described.

23. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, and separate gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for r0- tating the same, substantially as described.

24. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same, and antifriction-rollers against which the inner faces of said blocks bear, substantially as described.

25. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same,

and antifriction devices in said grooves against which the ends of said blocks bear, substantially as described.

26. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same, antifriction devices in said grooves against which the ends of said blocks bear, and antifriction-rollers against which the inner faces of said blocks bear, substantially as described.

27. The combination of a jaw, and a gripping device pivotally mounted therein, said gripping device consisting of a frame carrying traveling gripping-blocks arranged in endless series, substantially as described.

28. The combination of a jaw, and a gripping device pivotally mounted therein, said gripping device consisting of a frame carrying separate traveling gripping-blocks arranged in endless series, substantially as described.

29. The combination of a jaw, and a gripping device pivotally mounted therein, said gripping device consisting of a frame carrying traveling gripping-blocks arranged in endless series, the outer faces of said blocks being corrugated to form comparatively sharp edges, substantially as described.

30. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, means for supporting said frame, means for rotating said frame, and gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same.

31. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, means for supporting said frame, means for rotating said frame, gripping blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same, and antifrictionbearings for said blocks.

32. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, means for supporting said frame, means for rotating said frame, and separate gripping-blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same.

33. The combination of a frame having endless grooves forming guides, means for supporting said frame, means for rotating said frame, gripping blocks having their ends mounted in said grooves, the outer faces of said blocks being adapted to grip a round article for rotating the same, and antifrictionrollers against which the inner faces of said blocks bear.

34. A jaw, and a gripping device pivotally mounted therein, said gripping device consisting of a frame carrying traveling gripping-blocks arranged in endless series, in combination with means for supporting said frame, and means for operatingsaid frame.

35. A jaw, and a gripping device pivotally mounted therein, said gripping device consisting of a frame carrying separate traveling gripping-blocks arranged in endless series, in combination with means for supporting said frame, and means for rotating said frame.

36. A jaw, and a gripping device pivotally mounted therein, said gripping device consisting of a frame carrying traveling gripping-blocks arranged in endless series, the outer faces of said blocks being corrugated to form comparatively sharp edges, in combination with means for supporting said frame, and means for rotating said frame. 

